Howarth wins 63rd Grey Owl

PHOTO: Grey Owl president Tyler Thompson, left, presents the Cactus Jack Wells Memorial Trophy to champion Darcy Howarth.

Darcy Howarth went wire-to-wire to win the 63rd annual Grey Owl men’s golf tournament on Sunday in soggy conditions at Clear Lake Golf Course.

The 50-year-old from MacGregor was able to keep his hands dry enough in rainy and cool conditions to capture his first Grey Owl tournament, presented by IG Private Wealth Management. Howarth, who went into the final round with a one-shot lead over St. Charles’ Curtis Markusson, carded a 4-over-par 76 to win by three. Howarth’s 69-76—145 total was three strokes better than two-time champion Jared Jacobson of Brandon, who shot 77 on Sunday to go along with his first-round 71 for a 148 aggregate.

It was sweet redemption for Howarth, who was in contention last year after an opening-round 71 but struggled to a 94 on Sunday. He also became the first director to win the tournament.

“It’s hard to believe,” Howarth said. “I’ve been coming to this tournament for 20 years, and I love it. It’s fun, and I’m here to have a good time, and I never thought I’d compete or win it.”

The conditions got the best of most golfers on Sunday, with the temperature hovering around 8 C and conditions that were both rainy and windy. Howarth had a two-stroke lead over Jacobson with three holes to go, and he stretched it to three with a par on 16 after Jacobson three-putted. The decisive shot was a wedge to five feet on the par-3 17th that he drained for a birdie and a four-shot edge he did not relinquish.

Two-time tournament winner Nick Myhre of Rolette, N.D., Dave Spurr of Elmhurst and Jay Thiesen, whose two-year reign as champ came to an end, all tied for third.

Brandon’s Ron Cornell won the Greyer Owl division for golfers 60 and over after firing a sparkling 71 on Sunday. His 71-78—149 total gave him a four-stroke victory.

The Grey Owl tournament consists of 36 holes played over three days.

All scores can be found later Sunday at thegreyowl.ca.

FINAL SCORES

Darcy Howarth, MacGregor 69-76—145

Jared Jacobson, Brandon 71-77—148

Nick Myhre, Rolette, N.D. 75-75—150

Dave Spurr, Elmhurst 76-74—150

Jay Thiesen, Russell 72-78—150

Curtis Markusson, St. Charles 70-81—151

Marcus Friess, Estevan, Sask. 73-79—152